If what you want from your bass fishing is a nice day spent on the lake, then more power to you. Bass fishing for the unadulterated relaxation of it is one of the best and purest reasons to drop a line; however, if you’re angling day isn’t complete until you’ve caught and released a boatload or you’re looking to haul in a few trophies then you are going to need a more head on approach.

You are going to need to know your enemy and plan your assault. Be the bass.

Before deciding what direction to turn your boat for the day, consider the day itself. If you were a big, aggressive but somewhat lazy bass, where would you be in the early morning hours when the deep water might be cold and the day has just begun? Why in the shallows, sitting in the cover of the undergrowth watching the lake come to life. Same is true of the evening as the day winds down and the water starts to cool off. During these times, quietly reconnoiter the tall grass, the fallen logs, the underbelly of the lake world. Many bass may be starting and ending their days here, visible to the naked eye.

As the sun traverses the sky, the fish will start to migrate to and from deeper water; you can often catch them in transit. Cast sinkers that drift into the edges of the grassy interface. Be patient, don’t bob the bait. This approach can be mighty fruitful on overcast days when the bass haven’t quite decided to go deep.

Now that you’re thinking like a fish, consider your bait. Lots of bass fishing is done with big bait because bass are fierce fighting fish and big bait just seems the way to go. Truth be told, bass are hungry and hostile. They will strike on a large variety of lures. Think smaller lures, spinners and don’t forget the lowly plastic worm. Properly cast brightly colored worms are the number one bait for a reason. They catch bass. Shallow water is a good place to try a float worm. Straight worms get lots of bites in undergrowth.

Once you have knocked down few ways to think like a bass, it’s important to write your discoveries down. Keep a detailed written record of the most productive and, unfortunately, the least productive ways you have developed for bass fishing. Make a log book part of your bass fishing equipment. Note the day and date of each excursion, the weather, the vegetation, the distance from the bank, the bait used. When you pull in that trophy, mark down the time; when you pull in that minnow, mark down the time. No detail is too small when developing your bass book.

Bass are strong fish who put up a good fight; that’s the reason most bass fishermen go after them. Study them and their habits and document your findings. You will find that your effort will ultimately pay off with larger and more consistent catches. After all, in order to land them you have to understand them.

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If you want to catch more bass you need to come over to www.AllAboutBassFishing.com. We provide many tips, tactics, articles and more to help with your next bass fishing adventure. Whether you fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, peacock bass, or any other type of bass we can help you.

There is certainly no shortage of good Illinois crappie fishing locations, especially in the spring. The state is littered with lakes and rivers where bites are frequent and slabs are quite large.

No matter where in the state you live or are traveling, you are within a few miles of great crappie fishing. Beginning in late February and continuing through spring and summer, you’ll find the peak of Illinois crappie fishing season.

Start with the Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area, where there are over 250 lakes ranging in size from an acre to about 50 acres. Here, you’ll find some average sized crappie of about 8-9 inches in length. The best part of the season in these lakes is generally between March and May, concentrating strongly on shoreline areas covered in grass, beaver lodges, and fallen trees that create cover for the crappie. If you visit the “back lakes” of the area that must be accessed by foot, you could be rewarded with 14-16-inch crappie.

Another viable option for Illinois crappie fishing is Evergreen Lake, a full 886 acres just north of Bloomington in central Illinois. Some avid anglers claim that fishing in this lake regularly yields 10-12-inch crappie and up to 40 or more black crappie per hour, as well as 55 white crappie per hour. At these excellent fishing odds, most fishermen go home with their 25-fish limit for the day with no hassle whatsoever. Try fishing the coves of the lake, with jigs and minnows being the number one baits of choice.

While not producing such high quantities, Illinois crappie fishing at Sangchris Lake does yield some of the largest sunfish in the state, averaging 12-15 inches in length. There is a nursery pond onsite where around 70,000 fish are bred and stocked annually that boosts the population for a good catch. Take advantage of the large slabs in February, March, and April, when crappie are easily found in shallow cover and are prone to staying in shallow environments for spawning. Minnows work well here, as do jigs, but keep in mind that Sangchris enforces a 10-inch minimum size and 10-fish per day limit on your catch.

Illinois crappie fishing is at its best in Carlyle Lake, with its extensive 26,000 acres, in spring. Carlyle maintains a 10-inch minimum for your catch, and you’ll find no shortage of keepers, with regular anglers claiming about 80% of the catch being of retainable size. The Allen Branch of the lake is full of stumps and good cover for crappie, making it a choice location for Illinois crappie fishing, though Coles Creek and the West Access area are also popular.

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Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Get more information on Illinois crappie fishing here: www.askcrappiefishing.com

Compared to saltwater fish, freshwater fish are much easier to care for. Freshwater fish are usually hardier. To begin, you will need a correctly set up aquarium, which includes a tank, and rocks or substrate on the bottom of the tank.

Also needed is lighting and a filter.

The fish in your tank must be compatible in terms of temperature, P.H. and food requirements. You should also keep in mind a basic fact of nature –fish eat other fish. If this happens, don’t be discouraged, but learn from it. You can keep this to a minimum by keeping fish of roughly the same size.

You should feed freshwater fish twice a day. Use only a small amount of food, that the fish can consume within five minutes. Excess food will quickly become debris and make the tank dirty. The water in the tank must be regulated and tested weekly. Correct and discrepancies in water temperature and P.H. immediately to reduce stress to the fish.

Stress is significant because it causes illness in fish. It is important to monitor the activity and overall well being of the fish in an aquarium. The signs of stress will be fairly obvious. Slow moving or lethargic looking fish will require a stress coat that can be purchased at a local pet store. Try to avoid overcrowding the tank. This should help to reduce the amount of stress

When you change the water in the aquarium, only change about 1/3 at a time. This will create the least amount of disruption to the fish. This should be done every two to three weeks. When removing the water from the tank, use a siphon or bucket. Also remove any debris you can to keep the tank clean. Make sure that the new water you add is close to within two degrees of the tank water already there.

Scrub the sides of the aquarium regularly to remove any build-up of algae. When doing this, be careful not to disturb the fish. Always thoroughly wash your hands both before and after contact with your aquarium. Remember to change the filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Filters remove left over food and fish waste; they only function properly when clean.

When your tank is new, start with hardy fish. These are fish that can tolerate the higher nitrite levels which are present in a new aquarium. Some such fish are live bearers, gouramis, barbs and danios. Do not add more than three or four small fish per week. Before adding fish, check with your retailer or do research, as acclimation times vary per species.

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If you would like to learn more, go to Tropical Fish Guide ,for much more information on Aquarium Care

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It seems that just about everyone has one of them in their life-a fisherman that may leave you feeling completely clueless when it comes to choosing a gift for the holiday season.

My dad is fanatical about fishing. When I was a kid he would wake me in the freezing dawn hours and set me up with a fishing pole and a box of fishing flies where I would stand for hours. I suppose I never really understood what it was that lit his passion for fishing.

This is same reason I never really know what to get him for the holidays. Perhaps like the fisherman in your life, he never gave me a clear answer about what he might really want. This year, I decided to break into the fisherman psyche and find out from fishermen themselves about best-bet gifts for the holiday season.

Gift certificates for fishing flies
The gift certificate may not look as intriguing under the tree as a big brightly-wrapped present, but guys and gals into fishing are very particular about their fishing flies and say they prefer to pick out there own gear. They’ve got philosophies on what color of fishing flies work best and when. They’ve got theories about how different fishing flies are likely to work with different fish.

These fishing flies have names like “Adult Damsel,” “Sucking Leech,” “Rusty Rat,” “Scuds,” and “Bombers.” If you were pulled over for speeding with a list like this in your car, you may be taken in for further questioning. When it comes to fishing flies, it’s best just to let the fisherman enjoy going shopping with a gift certificate.

Vests and Hip Packs
A fisherman’s got to have somewhere to keep all of those fishing flies, sinkers, floats, and gadgets while fishing for hours. That’s why vests and hip packs make such great gifts. A fisherman usually has one already. A lot of times it’s 20 or 30 years old and definitely seen better days. But since it’s still “functional” it’s one of those things that they want to replace, but never justify doing. A great gift is one that someone really wants, but is too practical to buy for him or herself. Sneak a look at your fisherman’s vest pack. If it’s old, tattered and faded, replacing it with a fresh new pack with lots of zippers and pockets for fishing flies is certain to be a big hit.

Fishing DVD’s
If there’s one thing fishermen have in common, it’s that they can’t seem to get enough info about fishing. Whether it’s sharing fishing stories, discussing their preference of fishing flies, or watching fishing shows on cable, they’re almost always thinking about fishing and how they can improve their strategy and bring home a bigger fish than last time. What do fishermen want? They want more fishing ideas! There are quite a few DVD available about fly fishing topics like tying fishing flies, fly casting, water entomology as it relates to fishing, and plenty more.

So before you go out and purchase the infamous singing bass wall plaque out of desperation for great ideas, take this list and do some online shopping for some gifts that are sure to please. This bit of research gave me some great ideas for gifts for my dad and hopefully will help you give the fisherman in your life a smile this holiday season.

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Christine is a freelance copywriter. For more information on fishing flies and
accessories, visit www.BlueFlyCafe.com

For folks just getting into the relaxing and enjoyable sport of fly fishing, assembling the proper gear can be one of the first exciting challenges to deal with.

Depending on the type and size of fish you are going after and the waters you will be fishing, you will have to first select from many options for the various parts of your “kit”. One of the core elements of your fly fishing setup will be your line though, so it is a good place to start. Let’s take a look at your different line options and learn to match them with your needs.

Sinkers Or Floaters?

If you’re just starting out, it’s best to go with a full floating line. This type is commonly used for fishing the smaller sized still waters and river trout fishing. You can save the sinking lines until your skill level is at a point where you’re willing to try larger bodies of water. With a sinking line, you’ll be able to fish a variety of depths. Also, because they are thinner than floating lines, sinkers are also good if you have to fish in very windy conditions, as they cut through the air quite well.

Match The Climate

You’ll also have to base your decision on the overall climate of the region and waters you’ll be fishing. This is because you can also choose between cold weather and warm weather options for your lines. Make certain, especially if you are fishing in extreme climates, to choose the correct one or you’ll find the line does not respond the way you’ll need it to.

Line Weight

Once you’ve figured out the above, you can then move on to one of the easier parts of the process - choosing the correct line weight. Line weights are standardized throughout the fly fishing equipment industry, so once you’ve figured out which weight - often abbreviated “wt” - works in certain situations, you can be confident that the results will be nearly the same across all the major brands.

If you’re into pan fishing and you’re going after smaller fish in small, easy waters such as narrow brooks or streams, starting with the lighter weights is a good way to go. We’re talking here about lines less than four-weight. As you move on to larger and darker waters though and start chasing after a larger catch your line weight should increase too. For example, the five to seven weight lines might be to your liking if you’re after bass or larger trout and you’ll want to go even higher once you start chasing down lunkers like muskie.

As you can see, choosing the right line depends on many factors. If you see yourself facing a variety of different waters and fish on your next fly fishing adventure, it would probably be best to bring an assortment of lines along. Along with the information here, you should be able to find an initial match to use and then further refine your choices as you gain more experience.

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When you’re ready to put your fly fishing equipment into action, come discover great fly fishing tips at: www.FlyFishingJoy.com

When you think about walleye fishing, Ohio may not be the first area of the country that comes to mind, even though Lake Erie is one of the largest producers of walleye in North America.

However, it is not the only walleye fishing Ohio has to offer. There are several lakes throughout the Buckeye State where these phenomenally tasty, white flaky fish can be harvested in large quantities. Some areas have great shore fishing, while others are excellent for anglers who prefer boating.

For example, in regards to walleye fishing, Ohio’s Mosquito Lake is now considered the top inland walleye lake in the state. Over 11 million fry were stocked in this lake in Trumbull County in 2003, and the population is thriving. Mosquito Lake covers over 6,000 acres and is a fairly shallow lake, meaning that it thaws quickly in the spring. What this means for walleye anglers is that they should get to the lake right after ice-out to fish the shallows while the walleye are spawning. While good walleye fishing can be had during the summer, these fish prefer cooler temperatures and will move into the deepest parts of the lake as the waters warm. In spring, shoot for shallow humps, flats covered in gravel, and points. Also, try fishing the pier on the causeway, as this is a magnet for the walleye due to food fish hanging around this area. Wading is also a popular way to fish at Mosquito Lake, especially in the evening or very early morning, when the feeding frenzy is in full swing for walleye.

In terms of walleye fishing, Ohio anglers also find great success at Pymatuning Lake in Ashtabula County. In the past, this massive lake was known for the sheer numbers of walleye that you could catch. Now, while your experience won’t turn out the volume of fish that you would find on a day at Mosquito Lake, Pymatuning offers high quality fishing, with many specimen over the 15-inch mark. The reason this is so critical is that, with the explosion of the alewife shad population in the lake, it has been difficult to keep the stock of walleye consistent. Despite stocking the lake with 21 million fry, most of the fish taken in a study were in the 5-year age range or older. Of course, the good news is that this means the fish easily reached between 20-23 inches in length. However, it also means that there are new limitations being imposed on walleye fishing at this lake to help the population grow again.

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Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best walleye fishing information possible. Get more information on walleye fishing Ohio here: www.askwalleyefishing.com/

Jigs are becoming one of the most popular types of artificial bait for Crappie fishing. Thousands of different types of combinations are available for purchase anywhere fishing tackle is sold.

Typical jigs have a head in which a hook is embedded into, a body, and then a tail, or skirt which is meant to move and cause attraction to the Jig. Each section is interchangeable, which allows for almost endless possibilities.

If you are not satisfied with the colors or combinations available at your local fishing tackle store, then you may want to look into hand tied crappie jigs. Hand tied jigs give you the ability to control all aspects of the Jig. You can specify what type, color, size, and material. This way, if you notice a certain pattern in what the Crappie is biting, you can create a jig that is specific to that pattern.

Say, for example, you have noticed that the Crappie in your area hit on both red, and white colored jigs. You can request your local jig maker or online jig maker to make a jig specific to these colors. Once using the jig, you notice that it works wonders, and you may then request more of the same combination.

Making your own crappie jigs : The majority of avid fisherman have tried to or will try to tie their own Crappie jigs at one point or another. This not only allows you to control exactly the look, size, and type of Jig you create, but also allows you to get a little creative as well.

First, you will need to find all of the supplies you will need to hand tie your own Crappie jigs. Typically, your local fishing tackle store, or outdoors store will have the items you will need. If you are having difficulty finding supplies locally, you may want to consider looking online.

You will need some type of mold to hold your jigs. Molds are easily made of materials like Plaster of Paris. Another option is dental cement. Talk with your local craft store for all the available options.

Hair and feathers can be bought in small or large packages, depending on your situation. You can find these packages at most fishing tackle stores, or online.

Nylon jig hair comes in a wide array of colors and lengths. You can also find this supply at your local fishing store or online. You can create you own color combinations by braiding or weaving 2 colors together.

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Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Get more information on hand tied crappie jigs here: www.askcrappiefishing.com

Fly fishing is different from other types of fishing. It takes true skill as the bait is not heavier so it does not automatically go to the spot where it is cast.

It also requires the angler to move the bait either just above or below the water level. Because it is a different type of fishing it requires it’s own special gear. The gear that is needed includes: a rod, an artificial fly, a line, and a reel.

There is a special rod that is needed for this type of fishing. The rod always needs to be matched with a line that is the right size. If either one of them are too heavy or too light for each other, then the entire process of casting will be affected dramatically.

The rods generally run somewhere between 6 feet and 14 feet in length. They are usually made of bamboo and split cane or some type of synthetic material. There are some enthusiasts who make their own rods.

The next part of the gear that is needed is an artificial fly. This is the bait. It is much lighter than traditional bait. It was once simply used to mimic flies on and around the surface of the water. However, over the years the it has come to mimic many other types of baits so that more types of fish can be caught. Different ones should be used depending on what type of fish one is trying to catch.

Because the artificial fly is so light, the line has to provide the weight to make the cast work properly. Some lines sink in the water, some float on the water, and others mostly float but have a tip that sinks in the water. As was mentioned before, the line must always be matched with the rod; otherwise the entire process will be thrown off.

Traditionally the gear that is least important is the reel. This is because the fisherman simply pulls the line away from the reel himself. All the reel has to do is store the line until the fisherman needs it.

In recent years, as this sport has turned into fishing for bigger fish, the reel has become more important. New reels are designed to handle the larger fish and to stand-up well under a variety of conditions.

This is a great way to fish and in fact, it can be quite a spiritual experience. It is something that has to be worked at in order to produce consistent results. It has also evolved a lot over the past several years. Though the role and the technology of the gear have changed, the actual gear that is needed has remained the same.

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For more tips on fishing go to www.fishingabcs.com

It can be exhausting and sometimes even expensive to learn how to catch big catfish. Because mega-cats or whiskered warriors, as they are sometimes referred to, can bust rods, straighten hooks, snap heavy line, and ruin equipment overall, it can get frustrating trying to hook and keep a trophy-sized catfish.

Of course, depending on what type of catfish you are searching for, the term “big” is definitely relative, but learning how to catch big catfish simply begins with being patient and taking tips from others who have success stories.

Because trophy-sized cats don’t appear on a daily basis, it takes a lot of patience to find what you are looking for. While you can find heavyweights of various types in many waters, it doesn’t guarantee that there is an over abundance of them.

Keep in mind that many of the largest catfish are extremely old and may even outdate those who are trying to catch them, meaning that they’ve had lots of time to practice avoiding the hook. Large fish tend to become even shier and more elusive as the years pass, making them all the more difficult to find.

However, combine patience - especially since you can spend several hours without catching anything in your attempt to find big catfish - with persistence and you may get lucky. In your search for a trophy, you should be prepared to get comfortable on the lake or river where you’ve decided to make your attempt.

Take with you a comfortable seat, food and drink (carry a cooler to keep everything fresh), and some good insect repellent. Also, you may not want to go it alone, since you may be spending some long days and nights on the water and will begin to crave companionship. Perseverance is a must because without keeping bait in the water, you will never be able to catch that trophy-worthy catfish.

Because catfishing used to be considered a strictly nighttime sport, how to catch a big catfish was always thought to be a no-brainer. However, it’s become clear that catching a large specimen can occur at anytime, day or night.

The real question is where and how to go about it. For example, you can find catfish in clear waters, and in these areas, you are probably most likely to catch a winner at night (catfish prefer a darker environment). However, if you frequent the more muddied and colored waters in the rivers and lakes that provide the best catfish, you have just as much chance of finding your prize winner at high noon as you do in the wee hours of the morning.

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Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best catfish fishing information possible. Get more information on How to Catch Big Catfish here: www.askcatfishfishing.com

Great fisherman know the most basic of casting methods. They can tell you how to thread a line and cast using a variety of terms. And while they each may have their own perfect hand tied fly that lands them Moby Dick every time, they all basically cast the same.

First he must properly thread his rod. Start out by first moving the line over itself so that it will pass through the small holes easily. You dont even have to have a fly with you at this point. You can just thread your road and tie on a chunk of heavy string with a similar weight of your fly.

After threading, practice your cast. Hold the rod in your strong hand, pinch the fly line under your casting hand finger, and then tug a chunk of line off the reel of the rod.

After casting, learn to pick up and then lay down your line. This splashing motion alone will draw your fish as theyll think theyve got a monster bug they can swallow playing in the water. With your extended line in front of you, swiftly lift the rod up at 90 degrees in front of you and stop moving it when it sits just behind your ear. As you lift the rod, follow it with your string, and test the line weight. Then to lay your string down, as the rod sits just behind your ear, quickly move the rod forward to a 45 degree angle in front of you and stop suddenly. Let the loop of string go as you move forward.

Keep on practicing the pick up and laydown and you will soon have your basic casting stroke down. The roll cast works a little differently but it has proven success for many a fly fisherman. This works especially well on those breezy days when the wind catches the fly and line. The wind can wreak havoc on an inexperienced fly fisherman, so attribute some special time to practicing this particular stroke.

To cast shorter or longer casts, a fisher should basically move his line accordingly. He does this with his free hand not on the rod. He can tug away to create a longer line or reel the line up to create a shorter one.

Experienced fly fisherman will run all kinds of casts depending on their water choice, their fish desire, and their experience. Regardless of if youre trying to just learn how to cast or youre attempting to catch the next big fish, everyone should learn how to perform a basic cast. A plethora of fishermen have caught whoppers with the most basic methods, so never feel ashamed to use them. After all, you cant learn until you try.

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Resources of fly fishing can be found at: www.excitingflyfishing.comand here